TOAD. 
31 
number of noxious qualities which only exist in 
the imagination of its enemies, since the animal 
is perfectly innocent, and quite incapable of doing 
harm. Had it been its good fortune to have pos- 
sessed a better shape, we should have had a better 
opinion of its nature, and the many stories that have 
been told of its venomous disposition would have 
wanted a foundation. 
The spawn of the toad, which is deposited in the 
spring, may be easily known from that of the frog, 
by the appearance of the mass, which consists of 
two rows of black eggs, in the form of a double 
necklace of beads, contained within a case of trans- 
parent gluten. In this they remain about fifteen 
days, and then pass through the tadpole state in the 
same manner as has been already related respecting 
the frog. 
Where persons have so far overcome their natural 
antipathy to this reptile as to give him encourage- 
ment, they have not found it at all difficult to make 
him very familiar : we know one or two families 
who, notwithstanding the vulgar prejudices against 
these creatures, have dared to keep a toad for some 
years in their house ; and Mr. Pennant has re- 
corded some curious particulars in his British 
Zoology respecting one of these animals. The toad 
in question was a great favourite in the family of 
Mr. Arscott, where he had lived for more than 
thirty-six years. His real age could not be ascer- 
tained, as he had frequented some steps before the 
